DEFENSE
The UMHB defense has long been one of the nation’s best. But there are question marks as to who will step up after the senior core that helped lead the Cru to the Stagg Bowl in both 2018 and 2021, have graduated. Fortunately, under the direction of new defensive coordinator Jack Johnson, who was promoted after Larry Harmon was named head coach, UMHB’s defense has a multitude of standouts, many of whom saw significant action with the varsity squad in 2021, despite not starting.
The Returners
ASC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Pete Smith is amongst a small group of returning starters from the 2021 defense that allowed just 10 points per game. Smith and Sante Parker Jr., a team captain, are each back for their fifth seasons with the Cru. Defensive tackle Tristan Green is also back for his junior season, and had 33.0 total tackles in 2021. Tristan Green and Kobe Giles, who both saw quality action throughout last season, return for their third year in the program.
The linebackers unit is the one that will have the most new faces in the starting lineup, as two of the three starters graduated. Junior Omari Frazier, who started at one of the linebacker positions in the Stagg Bowl, is listed at defensive back, but is a key returner for the defense as a whole, as he had 52 tackles last season. Durand Hill made great progress as a true freshman last year and is one of just five players, all returners, who are listed at the linebacker position and have varsity roster numbers. Joining Hill is a trio of sophomores in Johnny Smith-Rider, La’Damian Bailey, and Chaise Ellis. Junior Braegen Berry has moved up to the varsity roster after spending 2020 and 2021 developing with the junior varsity squad.
Look for Titus Dunk to make an impact from his cornerback position, as he enters his senior year and comes back as a returning starter. His play was critical to the secondary in 2021, as there was a number of times that he was matched up against the opponent’s top receiver. Additionally, Tavion Page, Tommy Bowden, Jordan See, Chaka Watson, and Khyren Deal each made great strides last fall. Page was in his first complete year on the defense, Bowden switched from quarterback to defensive back midway through the year, Deal was a true freshman, and See was in his first full season of college football after playing in the five-game spring slate. Both the free safety and “cru” position (flex safety) were vacated due to graduation, so the trio is expected to have ample opportunity to contribute.
The Departures
This is a long list, no doubt. One of the nation’s top defenses, UMHB benefitted perhaps more than any other school from the additional year of eligibility given to all D-III athletes, as six of its 11 defensive starters in the Stagg Bowl were in their fifth year.
Jefferson Fritz highlights this group, as the three-time ASC Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-American will go down as one of UMHB’s most decorated players on either side of the ball. Fritz was the lone defensive player to be selected as a finalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy a year ago, which is D-III football’s version of the Heisman Trophy.
But Fritz is not the only departure. The linebackers group loses Jacob Mueller, the team’s leading tackler, Mikkah Hackett, this past year’s Stagg Bowl MVP, and Akeem Jackson, No. 2 in total tackles in 2021. On the defensive line, E’Monte Smith’s 15.5 tackles for loss will be missed, as will Khevon Shepard’s ability to rush the passer from his spot at defensive end.
And cornerback Keith Gipson, who started for both the 2018 national championship team and the 2021 squad, used his final year of eligibility after beginning his college journey in 2014 at Mississippi Valley State. He led the team in interceptions, with five last season. Also in the secondary, safety Jayden Smith graduated following last season, and had his memorable moment of fame when he intercepted Hardin-Simmons’ quarterback Kyle Jones near the end zone late in the fourth quarter, effectively ending the Cowboys’ final drive and sealing a 34-28 comeback win for the Cru.
In total, UMHB loses its top five tacklers, top three leaders in tackles for loss, and all four players who recorded two interceptions or more last year.
The Newcomers
Filling the shoes of some of those notable departures is not an easy task, but the coaching staff did work to lessen the impact, bringing in a few transfers as part of the recruiting class. Junior defensive end Trevon Sims played two years at Mount Union before coming to UMHB,
Defensive back Diarva Brown joins UMHB for his senior season after most recently playing at West Florida in 2019. The Paris, Texas native began his collegiate career at Tyler Junior College in 2017.
Go to page three (linked below) for a look at UMHB’s special teams
